By Ashley Brown
In a significant advancement for urban health research, Morgan State University has announced the award of a $20.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities. This five-year funding will expand the ongoing efforts of the university’s Research Centers in Minority Institutions Center for Urban Health Disparities Research and Innovation, which focuses on addressing health inequities in underserved urban populations.
The new funding underscores the center’s commitment to improving health outcomes in Baltimore—a city where approximately 70% of residents identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. The RCMI@Morgan has already made substantial contributions to understanding and mitigating chronic diseases that disproportionately affect these communities, including cancer, diabetes, HIV, and COVID-19.
David K. Wilson, president of Morgan, expressed gratitude for the continued support from the NIH and NIMHD. “This extension and recommitment of funding are a testament to the life-changing impact our researchers and their partners are making,” he said. Wilson emphasized that the research not only delivers tangible solutions but also fosters innovative discoveries shaping the future of urban health.
Since its launch in 2019, RCMI@Morgan has been a pioneering force in urban health research. The center has published 66 peer-reviewed articles and presented 160 papers at scientific conferences, garnering nearly $20 million in additional funding. The latest NIH grant is poised to further accelerate this momentum by expanding the biomedical research ecosystem at Morgan State.
How the Grant is Pushing Morgan Forward
Willie E. May, Ph.D., vice president for the Division of Research and Economic Development, noted, “This new funding will significantly accelerate the pace of scientific discoveries at Morgan.” The grant will enhance critical research infrastructure, including core laboratories in analytical, bioinformatics, biostatistics, and molecular biology, thereby equipping researchers with cutting-edge technology and expertise.
The NIH/NIMHD grant will also focus on developing the next generation of scientists through career development programs and fund junior investigators. Paul B. Tchounwou, D.Sc., executive director of RCMI@Morgan, highlighted the profound impact this funding will have. stating, “The impact will be profound and far-reaching,” said Tchounwou. “This investment ensures that Morgan continues to cultivate top-tier researchers who will lead in solving some of the most pressing challenges in urban health.”
Community engagement remains a cornerstone of RCMI@Morgan’s mission. The center aims to strengthen partnerships that translate scientific findings into actionable strategies.
The historic grant follows a formative $14.2 million investment from the NIH/NIMHD in 2019, designed to combat health inequities and improve health outcomes in Baltimore’s marginalized populations.
